I recently read an article written by Thomas Junkin, David Cieslowski and Vincent Tonietto, all with Fiduciary Trust Canada and published in their Summer 2019 issue of Perspective. The topic was entitled “Stickhandling Sudden Wealth”. In it, the authors discuss the unique investment and estate planning challenges facing younger clients…
This blog was written by Hardeep Nandra I am sharing a story of one of my close friends. This friend (Let’s call this person Kay for keeping their identity confidential) of mine is an honest person, good workout buddy, a great father and husband. He would always have a great smile…
Readers in Ontario are likely familiar with Elizabeth Tracy Mae Wettlaufer, a former registered nurse, who confessed to murdering eight senior citizens and attempting to murder six others in southwestern Ontario long term care (LTC) homes between 2007 and 2016. Following her criminal conviction, the province of Ontario established a…
Due in particular to the outcome of some recent court cases, many have feared that formal applications to rectify plans would receive a favorable hearing only in the event of obvious clerical errors in the documentation. However a recent court case in the Supreme Court of British Columbia demonstrated that…
My colleague Dr. Shulman in his July 30, 2019 blog “What an Attorney for Personal Care Can Do” described the roles of the substitute decision maker and the very important part they play in ensuring their loved one’s wellbeing. I have used ‘loved one’ but actually in many cases, the…
Jeffrey Epstein (“Epstein”) signed a will just 2 days before he was found dead in his jail cell, raising new queries about his final days inside the Manhattan Correctional Centre, where he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. This new development adds to what is likely…
This blog was written by Veronique Thomas-Ewen, Associate Estate and Trust Consultant with Scotia Wealth Management When a loved one passes away, it’s challenging for family and friends to process emotionally, let alone face the task of being an executor. But when the deceased has chosen a stranger to be…
Separation agreements commonly include a requirement that one of the spouses maintains a life insurance policy in favour of the other in order to “secure” support payments (either child support or spousal support). It is equally as common to find out, on the death of the supposedly insured spouse, that…
The Canada Revenue Agency recently responded to a ruling request as to whether or not a proposed amendment to a trust agreement could be so significant to cause a resettlement of the trust, or a disposition of a beneficiary’s interest in the trust Before the enactment of variation of trusts…
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if someone has a silent stroke and there are not obvious physical symptoms, is it still considered a stroke. YES it is and it can cause permanent brain damage….